Fire-Rescue mutual aid on Edgewater agenda

The agreement calls for member fire departments to provide assistance in an emergency from the closest apparatus no matter its jurisdiction.

MARK I. JOHNSONSTAFF WRITER

Help thy neighbor as you would help yourself is the premise behind an interlocal agreement coming before the Edgewater City Council Monday night. During its meeting slated for 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 104 N. Ridgewood Ave., the City Council will consider expanding the East Volusia Local Government Fire-Rescue and Emergency Medical Services Automatic Aid and Closest Unit Response System. The agreement calls for member fire departments to provide assistance in an emergency from the closest apparatus no matter its jurisdiction as well as any other help when needed, said Edgewater Fire Chief Steve Cousins. Currently, the pact includes New Smyrna Beach, Edgewater, Ponce Inlet, Port Orange and South Daytona; however, there is talk of adding Daytona Beach, Daytona Beach Shores, Holly Hill and Ormond Beach. "Basically all the eastside fire departments," Cousins said. If approved, he said the agreement would reflect a similar pact that was in place in the early 2000s know as the "Seven City Agreement." Cousins said recent discussions among various fire chiefs brought up the need to help each other out during emergencies, such as brush fires or plane crashes, and it was suggested rather than having a bunch of individual mutual-aid agreements between municipalities, the cities could re-institute that pact. "As opposed to reinventing the wheel," he said. "There would be just one agreement that all the cities could join across the board." The contract would stipulate if one city required more help than another, Cousins said the helper would receive some sort of compensation from the agency receiving the help. Edgewater council members are also scheduled to hear a report on the city's financial health.